Malls mark start of 11 a.m. opening time

Starting Monday, November 11, malls in Metro Manila will open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. in a bid to ease traffic amid the busy holiday season, according to a Monday report by Mariz Umali on 24 Oras.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the new measure will be implemented in 17 malls along EDSA and around 100 malls all over Metro Manila.

While the MMDA does not expect the adjusted operating hours of malls to dramatically decongest roads, spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said vehicle volume during rush hour will still go down.

“17,000 na sasakyan ‘yung naiaalis natin. 17,000 to 20,000 na sasakyan ang naiaalis natin sa kahabaan ng EDSA and other primary roads tuwing rush hour,” she said.

Previously, malls would open at 9 or 10 a.m. and close at 9 or 10 p.m.

Shopping mall operators and the MMDA agreed on the adjusted operating hours in October. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News